Three brothers charged with terror bombing at US Embassy in Oslo
Three brothers in their twenties have been arrested and charged with terror bombing following an explosion at the American Embassy in Oslo in the early hours of Sunday. One of the accused has admitted to placing the bomb.
Three brothers arrested after embassy explosion in Oslo
Three brothers living in Oslo have been arrested and charged with terror bombing after an explosion struck the American Embassy in the early hours of 8 March 2026, reports nrk.no. No persons were injured in the explosion, but police describe the incident as very serious.
– Police today arrested brothers living in Oslo who are all now charged with violation of section 138 of the Criminal Code. This concerns terror bombing, said prosecutor Christian Hatlo at a press conference Wednesday afternoon.
The three are in their twenties and Norwegian nationals with Iraqi origins. They were not previously known to police.
One of the brothers admitted to placing the bomb
Wednesday evening, around 21:00, defence counsel Øystein Storrvik informed that his client had admitted to placing the explosive.
– We have been in interrogation this evening, and he confirms that he placed the bomb at the location and connects himself to the location in that way, said Storrvik to NRK.
According to the defence counsel, the interrogation dealt with the sequence of events, and many questions still remain unanswered. Storrvik further stated that his client claims to have acted alone.
– But my client has said that he did it alone, at any rate, said Storrvik.
Defence counsel Frode Sulland, who represents one of the other brothers, stated Thursday morning that his client contests the charge. It is not known how the third brother views it. Ketil Magnus Berg, defence counsel for the last of the three, told NRK that he wished to meet his client before commenting further on the matter.
Powerful bomb directed at well-secured embassy
Hatlo described the bomb as very powerful and stated that it is undergoing technical examination. An improvised explosive device, IED, was placed at the entrance area of the embassy. Police believe the reason the damage was not more severe is that the embassy is specially well secured.
The investigation indicates that one person approached the embassy and triggered the explosion, whilst the other two assisted in various ways.
– We believe that the one is the person who has been sought in the media. We still believe that it was one person who approached the embassy, and that the others assisted in the action in different ways, said Hatlo.
Police released pictures of a suspected perpetrator Monday this week. Oslo police have secured a number of video recordings from the incident.
Investigating possible state commissioning and criminal networks
Hatlo stated that the investigation going forward will focus on the motive behind the attack, any further accomplices and possible commissioners.
– One of the hypotheses is whether this is a commission from a state actor, said Hatlo, and justified it with the fact that it was the American Embassy that was struck as well as the international security-political situation.
Police are also investigating whether the arrested individuals have connections to a criminal network, or whether they acted entirely on their own. SVT reported Wednesday evening that Swedish authorities are said to have received information that the attack can be linked to the criminal network Foxtrot.
Police are in contact with, amongst others, Interpol and the FBI, and are working closely with the PST.
– The PST is continuously assessing whether there is further danger of new attacks in Norway in the wake of the attack on the American Embassy, informed communications adviser Eirik Veum at the PST to NRK.
Hatlo did not rule out further arrests, and stated that remand detention of the three charged is probable.
Neighbours witnessed a massive police operation
NRK was present at the location where the brothers were arrested Wednesday evening. Crime scene technicians were working in a residence in the area, and one of the technicians was observed wearing protective equipment used against explosives.
A neighbour described the situation when the arrest took place. – I observed two unmarked patrol cars, and approximately six police officers fully equipped with weapons and helmets went into the neighbouring building. It is very frightening. I was startled when I saw them run out with weapons, he said to NRK.
Justice minister and Progress Party leader comment on the case
Justice Minister Astri Aas Hansen (Labour) emphasised the seriousness of the charge to NTB.
– That the three arrested are charged under section 138 of the Criminal Code concerning terror bombing adds an extra gravity to the case, she said.
Progress Party leader Sylvi Listhaug described the arrests as positive, but pointed to the need for further investigation.
– It is frightening that police conclude that this is terror bombing with intent to take lives or cause significant damage to property. It is important that the case is now investigated further to examine whether there is a link to the Iranian terror regime or other criminal networks, Listhaug wrote to NRK.
The explosion took place at 01:03 in the early hours of Sunday, after several neighbours heard a loud bang at one of the entrances to the embassy. Police responded with large resources and searched the area with a helicopter.
Source: Google News NO — Oslo